Atelopus varius

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Costa Rican variable harlequin toad

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Atelopus
Species:
A. varius
Binomial name
Atelopus varius
(Lichtenstein and Martens, 1856)
Synonyms[1]
Synonymy
  • Atelopus bibronii Boulenger, 1894
  • Atelopus loomisi Taylor, 1955
  • Hylaemorphus bibronii Schmidt, 1857
  • Hylaemorphus dumerilii Schmidt, 1857
  • Hylaemorphus pluto Schmidt, 1858
  • Hylaemorphus plutonius Jan, 1857
  • Phrynidium bibronii (Schmidt, 1857)
  • Phrynidium varium Lichtenstein & Martens, 1856
  • Phryniscus bibronii (Schmidt, 1857)
  • Phryniscus dumerilii Brocchi, 1882
  • Phryniscus varius (Lichtenstein & Martens, 1856)

Atelopus varius, the Costa Rican variable harlequin toad or clown frog, is a small

A. zeteki has been considered a subspecies of A. varius, but is now generally considered a separate species.[5][page needed
]

Geographic range

The historic range of A. varius stretched from the Pacific and Atlantic slopes of the Cordilleras de Tilaran mountain range in Costa Rica into western Panama. Suitable habitat includes both pre-montane and lower-montane zones as well as some lowland sites along rocky streams in hilly areas (ranging from 6 to 2,000 metres or 20 to 6,562 feet in elevation).[6]

Habitat and ecology

A. varius is a diurnal frog often found on rocks or in crevices along streams in humid lowland and montane forests.[7] It is primarily a terrestrial species, only entering the water during breeding season, relying on spray from streams for moisture.[8]

The Costa Rican variable harlequin frog is slow moving and often remains in the same area for long periods of time. The conspicuous or

sarcophagid fly Notochaeta bufonivora which deposits its larvae on the surface of the frog's thigh. The larvae then proceed to burrow inside the frog and eat it from within.[10]

Conservation status

In recent decades, A. varius has become increasingly rare throughout its geographic range. The first incidence of its disappearance was recorded after a census conducted between 1990 and 1992 near

extinct throughout Costa Rica,[citation needed] however, in a 2019 assessment, two subpopulations were discovered in the country.[1] In Panama, mass mortality has drastically reduced populations of A. varius in recent years and it was believed to be locally extinct,[11] however the species was recorded again in the 2019 assessment.[1]

Several theories related to changes in climatic patterns have been put forth to account for the rapid decline of A. varius. A trend toward rising temperatures across the tropics in the late 1980s and early 1990s has been implicated in the declines of multiple

chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.[4] This pathogen can be transmitted between individuals through shed skin cells and is known to infect keratinized body surfaces where it can impair cutaneous respiration and osmoregulation thus resulting in mortality.[4] Attempts to preserve A. varius include a recently initiated captive breeding program as well as continued efforts to protect vital forest habitat.[1] In March 2021, it was announced that the species had been successfully bred in captivity outside of Panama for the first time.[13]

References
  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T54560A3016252.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. JSTOR 1445001
  3. JSTOR 1565857
  4. ^
    doi:10.1038/nature04246
  5. ISBN 0-226-73537-0
  6. JSTOR 3891084
  7. ^
    JSTOR 3281428
  8. ^
    JSTOR 2386722
  9. doi:10.1016/S0003-3472(88)80066-6
  10. JSTOR 2388627
  11. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.97185.x
  12. doi:10.1038/19297
  13. ^ "Toad breeding success is world first". manchester.ac.uk. The University of Manchester. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.

External links

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